ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
|
Ministry of Mines
|
Production of Iron ore in India Increased By 27% During 2021-22 
Policy Reforms Undertaken to Enhance Production
The State-wise production of iron ore during 2018-19 to 2020-21 and 2020- 21  vis-à-vis 2021-22  is provided at Table in Annexure. The total production of iron ore in India increased during 2019-20 as compared to 2018- 19, but it decreased in 2020-21 as compared to 2019-20. The reason for decline in the production of iron ore was that the year 2020-21 was affected by the pandemic as well as large number of leases expiring on 31.03.2020. However, total production of iron ore in India increased by 27% during 2021-22  as compared to the same period of the previous year. In the states of Andhra Pradesh, Goa and Maharashtra, the production of iron ore decreased during this period.
The Government has taken various steps to increase production and availability of iron ore, which inter-alia include Mining and Mineral Policy reforms to ensure enhanced production, early auction & operationalization of expired mines, ease of doing business, seamless transfer of all valid rights & approvals, incentivizing for starting of mining operation & dispatch, transfer of mining leases, allowing captive mines to sell upto 50% of the minerals produced, enhancing exploration activities, etc.
..2/-
Annexure
Table: State-wise Production of iron ore from 2018-19 to 2020-21 and 2020-21  vis-à-vis 2021-22 

|
|
State
|
|
2018-19
|
|
2019-20
|
|
2020-
21
|
|
2020-21 (Apr
Jan) 
|
|
2021-22 (Apr
Jan) 
|
|
%
growth in
2021-
22
over
2020-
21(Apr
-Jan)

|
|
Andhra Pradesh
|
|
654
|
|
825
|
|
360
|
|
315
|
|
266
|
|
-15.56
|
|
Chhattisgarh
|
|
34,893
|
|
34,728
|
|
36,989
|
|
27,831
|
|
32,315
|
|
16.11
|
|
Goa
|
|
0
|
|
0
|
|
94
|
|
94
|
|
0
|
|
-100.00
|
|
Jharkhand
|
|
23,433
|
|
25,015
|
|
21,434
|
|
17,573
|
|
20,680
|
|
17.68
|
|
Karnataka
|
|
29,823
|
|
31,392
|
|
34,542
|
|
28,544
|
|
33,911
|
|
18.80
|
|
Madhya
Pradesh
|
|
2,802
|
|
3,343
|
|
4,094
|
|
3,187
|
|
5,504
|
|
72.70
|
|
Maharashtra
|
|
660
|
|
1,131
|
|
1,249
|
|
699
|
|
664
|
|
-5.01
|
|
Odisha
|
|
1,13,119
|
|
1,46,637
|
|
1,04,631
|
|
81,226
|
|
1,09,675
|
|
35.02
|
|
Rajasthan
|
|
1,108
|
|
1,012
|
|
1,088
|
|
873
|
|
1,020
|
|
16.84
|
|
Telnagana
|
|
2
|
|
0
|
|
0
|
|
0
|
|
0
|
|
-
|
|
All India: Total
|
|
2,06,495
|
|
2,44,083
|
|
2,04,482
|
|
1,60,341
|
|
2,04,035
|
|
27.25
This information was given by the Union Minister of Coal, Mines and Parliamentary Affairs Shri Pralhad Joshi in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Development of North-East Region
Rural sustainability: transforming the lives of budding entrepreneurs with the new perspective of Atma Nirbhar North East a initiative of NERCRMS - a registered society under the aegis of Ministry of DoNER.
Mr. Babulo Chakma, a resident of Bijoypur-II, Bordumsa in Changlang district in Arunachal Pradesh. Prior to NERCRMS intervention in the hamlet, Mr. Chakma worked in the agriculture field. His family's requirements could not be met by cultivation alone. He could hardly support his family, provide a good education for his children, and maintain a decent standard of living.
He received support from his neighbours in order to earn additional income to support his two children's quality education. His neighbour, who worked as an Anganwadi worker, loaned him a tailoring machine for a few days so that he could learn, and then his desire to learn led him to start stitching clothes for a livelihood. He dreamed of owning a tailoring machine rather than depending on other machines.
When NERCRMS came to light in the village, under Ujei NaRMG, Mr. Chakma was able to propose a unit through the NaRMG meeting. It was then, later, placed through AWPB-2018-19. He became the beneficiary of the project under NERCRMS, NEC, Ministry of DoNER, GoI by undertaking tailoring in 2019. He had received Rs. 10,000/-from the project. He purchased the necessary equipment for tailoring.
Initially, he undertook the task of stitching clothes in his village to support his family. Later, it was an additional profession, earning an amount of Rs. 7000 to Rs. 9500 per month. As a result of the initiative, he became more financially secure and was able to support his children’s education.
Mr. Babulo Chakma has expressed his sincere gratitude to NERCRMS and Ujei NaRMG, Changlang, saying that the project transformed his life and gave him the opportunity to increase his annual income for his family.
Ministry of Finance
CBDT builds momentum to achieve Special Campaign 3.0 Swachhata targets
Swachhata campaigns at more than 175 sites across India with community participation on 2nd October 2023
The Central Board for Direct Taxes  is conducting the Special Campaign 3.0 on Swachhata in the offices of Income tax Department located in various parts of the country. It started with a preparatory phase from 15th September, 2023 to identify targets to be achieved during the campaign period. The main campaign started from 2nd October, 2023 and will last up to 31st October, 2023. During the campaign, special focus is being given to enhance ‘the public experience of the common public with Government offices’.
Under Swachhata Hi Seva Campaign concluded on 2nd October 2023, Chairman, CBDT, administered Swachhata pledge to officers/officials of the Income Tax Department to create a clean and garbage free India and Swachhata campaigns were conducted at more than 175 sites across India with community participation. Officers and officials of the CBDT enthusiastically participated in celebrating the campaign as a cleanliness festival. Swachhata Rally, Swachhata Rangoli, Swachhata Plantation and Swachhata Cyclothon were conducted in various offices of the CBDT. The momentum of the Swachhata Hi Seva campaign will be enhanced in the Special Campaign during this month too.
As envisaged by Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances , CBDT is aiming to achieve saturation of Swachhata in all offices. Since the beginning of the preparatory phase of the Special campaign, CBDT has identified around 505 sites across the country for conducting the cleanliness campaign. Further, the targets for weeding out of files, disposal of scrap, resolution of grievances and liquidation of pending references have also been identified. Progress of the campaign is being monitored on a daily basis and data is being uploaded on the SCPDM portal hosted by DARPG.
CBDT is using social media along with the conventional media to conduct outreach with public and highlight its efforts under the Swachhata campaigns. More than 700 posts have been posted/reposted on X by the official social media handles of the Income Tax Department, regional handles of Principal Chief Commissioner regions and the National Academy of Direct Taxes  to promote awareness for Swachhata campaigns. The campaign has also been amplified on other social media platforms of the Department.
The Special Campaign 3.0 is in full swing in CBDT and the Department is aiming to better its performance this year with respect to its achievement in earlier two Special Campaigns.
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
Tripartite Memorandum of Understanding  was signed amongst Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities & Amazon Seller Private Limited on today
A Tripartite Memorandum of Understanding  was signed amongst Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities , Government of India, Skill Council for Persons with Disabilities  and Amazon Seller Private Limited on today. The main objective of this MoU is to jointly provide skill training and employment opportunities for persons with disabilities in e-commerce sector. It envisages mobilisation of PwDs for skill training by the DEPwD, designing of job roles for e-commerce sector by SCPwD and providing skill training and hiring of PwDs by Amazon. Such initiatives of all the parties would create better opportunities for Persons with Disabilities  by imparting job specific, practical and e-commerce skills in the supply chain sector to enhance their sustainable employability in the job market as well as to enable them to become entrepreneurs.
Dr. Virendra Kumar, Minister, SJ&E graced the occasion by his presence in the MoU signing ceremony held at Dr. Ambedkar International Centre.
On the occasion, Minister said that it is also desired by Prime Minister that private companies should be associated for empowering PwDs by providing them employment opportunities and making them self reliant. Minister said keeping in mind Aatm Nirbhar Bharat, not only private companies such as Amazon but also Society should come forward and together to make Divyangjan Aatm Nirbhar .
Shri Rajesh Aggarwal, Secretary, DEPwD while appreciating SCPwD and Amazon for joining hands with Department in its endeavour to make PwDs empowered, said number of trained/employed PwDs under the programme should be tracked and efforts should be made to provide employment opportunities to PwDs from Jobs in warehouses to making them entrepreneurs.
DEPwD was represented by Shri Kishor B. Surwade, Deputy Director General, SCPwD by Shri Ravindra Singh, CEO, Amazon Seller Private Limited by Shri Akhil Saxena, Vice President, Operations APAC/MENA/LATAM.
Prime Minister's Office
PM greets people on Onam
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has greeted the people on the occasion of Onam.
In a tweet, the Prime Minister said;
"Best wishes on the special occasion of Onam, a festival associated with positivity, vibrancy, brotherhood and harmony. I pray for everyone's good health and wellbeing."
NITI Aayog
NITI Aayog and World Food Program Releases Report - Take Home Ration: Good Practices across the State/Union Territories
NITI Aayog and World Food Program today launched a report titled ‘Take Home Ration-Good Practices across the State/Union Territories’. The report was released by NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Suman K. Bery in the presence of Member  Dr. V.K. Paul and CEO Amitabh Kant.
Ministry of Women and Child Development Secretary Indevar Pandey, Senior Advisor Rajib Sen and United Nations World Food Programme Deputy Country Director Eric Kenefick were also present at the launch.
The report presents a set of good and innovative practices adopted in the implementation of the Take Home Ration value chain by the States and UTs. Government of India provides Take Home Ration under the Supplementary Nutrition component of the Integrated Child Development Services  to fill the gap in nutrition among children as well as pregnant and lactating women .
Speaking on the occasion, NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Sh. Suman K. Bery said, “There is a need to further strengthen THR program to achieve the nutritional targets in a time-bound manner. This document on good practices compiles and collates innovations in THR programmes in various States and Union Territories. Aspects related to production, formulation, distribution, labelling, packaging, monitoring, quality assurance, social and behavioural change have been reviewed to generate a catalogue of good practices. This document will help State Governments/Union Territories to adopt good practices in their THR programmes.”
Member NITI Aayog Dr. V.K. Paul said, “There is a need to develop and maintain highest standards for ensuring quality in THR, where the entire THR value chain must ensure quality, transparency, and efficiency. In this report, various good practices at the State/UTs level have been identified and are documented which would serve as a guidebook to policymakers and administrators in strengthening their Take-Home Ration system.”
CEO Sh. Amitabh Kant said, “Adequate nutrition during infancy and early childhood is essential to ensure that children are healthy and reach their full growth and development potential. After six months of age, complementary feeding is required to meet the infant’s nutritional needs. There has been a lot of innovation in the field of THR in terms of production, distribution, quality control, monitoring, and use of technology. This report will create opportunities for cross-learning between States/UTs.”
As a way forward the report suggests that in order to realize the full potential of the THR, all components of this value chain need to function at optimum. This requires building a robust system for procurement, supply chain management and monitoring that ensures complete transparency, standardized process, sustainability, full coverage, leverages local ties, foster a culture of collaboration and builds trust within a community. These measures improve THR access in rural areas, produce THR with high nutrient value, enhance community ownership involving SHGs and promote income generating activities and female empowerment.
Click here to see Take Home Ration Report
Ministry of Electronics & IT
NeGD Organises 35th CISO Deep Dive Training Programme Under MeitY’s initiative Cyber Surakshit Bharat
National e-Governance Division , under its Capacity Building scheme of MeitY, has organised 35th Chief Information Security Officers  Deep-Dive training programme from April 10-14, 2023 with 22 participants from Central Ministries and States/UTs at the School of Planning & Architecture, Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh.
The programme, Cyber Surakshit Bharat, an initiative of MeitY was conceptualised with the mission to spread awareness about cyber-crime and build capacities of CISOs and frontline IT officials, across all government departments, for ensuring adequate safety measures to combat the growing menace – Organisations need to defend their digital infrastructure and become future-ready in tackling cyber-attacks.
Apart from the above, the 5-day intensive training programme is designed for CISOs from subordinate agencies/PSUs, including public sector banks and insurance companies, technical wings of police and security forces, CTOs and members of technical/PMU teams.
The deep-dive training specifically aims at educating and enabling CISOs to understand cyber-attacks comprehensively and thoroughly, get necessary exposure in latest technologies of safeguard, and translate the benefits of a resilient e-infrastructure to individual organisations and citizens at large. The training also focuses on providing a holistic view of legal provisions, enabling CISOs to formulate policies in the domain of cyber security and build concrete cyber crisis management plans.
The training programme will bring together an array of subject matter experts from the industry, academia and the government to speak on key domain issues of cyber security, such as Governance Risk and Compliance, Landscape of Cyber Security Products in India, End Point & Digital Workplace Security, Network Security, Application and Data Security, CCMP & Incident Response, Mobile Security, Cryptography, Cyber Security Testing and Audit, Cyber Security related Provisions of IT Act and ISMS Standards including ISO 27001, Security Logging and Operation & Monitoring of Security Operation Centre.
Launched in 2018, the CISO training is the first-of-its-kind of partnership between the Government and industry consortium under Public Private Partnership  model. Since June 2018 until April 2023, NeGD has efficaciously conducted 35 batches of CISO deep-dive training programmes for over 1,397 CISOs and frontline IT officials.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Health Secretary reviews actions and preparedness on Novel Coronavirus
Ms. Preeti Sudan, Secretary  chaired a meeting with the senior officials of the Ministry to review the actions and preparedness for prevention and management of Novel Coronavirus, here today.
Secretary  highlighted that while the situation is under control presently, States/UTs shall remain alert and vigilant on a continued basis. The community level awareness activities regarding the updated advisories, guidelines, protocols etc., needs to be enhanced by the States.
At present, the screening of passengers is on in all 21 airports, 12 major Seaports and border crossings. In all 2148 flights and 232613 passengers were screened so far. As of now, 1632 samples have been tested of which 3 samples had earlier tested positive . All Indian evacuees from Wuhan have tested negative for nCoV. 11527 persons are presently under community surveillance in 34 States/UTs.
Prime Minister's Office
PM greets people of Bihar on Bihar Diwas
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi greeted people of Bihar on the Bihar Diwas. He said Bihar is famous for its rich history and lively culture. People of Bihar, who are contributing in all walks of National life, have created a special identity with their hard work and determination.
The Prime Minister tweeted :
"बिहार दिवस पर राज्य के अपने सभी भाई-बहनों को बहुत-बहुत बधाई! अपने समृद्ध इतिहास और जीवंत संस्कृति के लिए प्रसिद्ध बिहार के लोग देश के विकास के लिए हर क्षेत्र में अतुलनीय योगदान दे रहे हैं। अपनी लगन और कठिन परिश्रम से उन्होंने एक विशेष पहचान बनाई है।"
Ministry of Earth Sciences
Cyclone “Tauktae” lay centred at 1730 hours IST of today, over Gujarat region, about 120 km south-southeast of Deesa , and 35 km west of Ahmedabad and 80 km east-northeast of Surendranagar 
: 
Cyclonic Storm “Tauktae”  over Gujarat region
The Cyclonic Storm “Tauktae”  over Saurashtra moved north-north-eastwards with a speed of about 23 kmph during past 06 hours, and lay centred at 1730 hours IST of today, the 18th May, 2021 over Gujarat region near latitude 23.1°N and longitude 72.3°E, about 120 km south-southeast of Deesa , and 35 km west of Ahmedabad and 80 km east-northeast of Surendranagar .
It is very likely to move north-north-eastwards and weaken gradually into a Deep Depression during next 03 hours and into a Depression during the subsequent 06 hours. The remnant of the system is very likely to move north-eastwards across Rajasthan to west Uttar Pradesh during 19th& 20th May.
Forecast track and intensity are given in the following table:
|
|
Date/Time 
|
|
Position

|
|
Maximum sustained surface wind speed 
|
|
Category of cyclonic disturbance
|
|
18.05.21/1730
|
|
23.1/72.3
|
|
60-70 gusting to 90
|
|
Cyclonic Storm
|
|
18.05.21/2330
|
|
23.9/72.8
|
|
55-65 gusting to 75
|
|
Deep Depression
|
|
19.05.21/0530
|
|
24.7/73.5
|
|
40-50 gusting to 60
|
|
Depression
|
|
19.05.21/1130
|
|
25.5/74.2
|
|
20-30 gusting to 40
|
|
Well-Marked Low
Warnings:
 Rainfall:
- Gujarat: Light to moderate rainfall at most places with heavy to very heavy falls isolated places very likely over Gujarat region and Saurashtra during next 12 hours.
- Rajasthan: Light to moderate rainfall at many places with heavy to very heavy falls at isolated places very likely over south Rajasthan on 18th& heavy falls at isolated places over north Rajasthan on 19th May.
 Wind warning
- Gale winds speed reaching 60-70 kmph gusting to 90 kmph likely to prevail over Ahmedabad Surendranagar, Rajkot, Anand, squally winds speed reaching 45-55 kmph gusting to 65 kmph over Bhavnagar, Botad & Kheda during next 06 hours and gradually decrease thereafter. Squally wind speed reaching 45-55 kmph gusting to 65 kmph likely to prevail along and off Dadra, Nagar Haveli, Daman, Valsad, Navsari, Surat, districts during next 06 hours and gradually decrease thereafter.
- Squally wind speed reaching 45-55 kmph gusting to 65 kmph is likely to prevail over south Rajasthan from the evening of 18th till 19th early morning.
  Damage Expected over Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Bharuch, Anand, Kheda districts of Gujarat:
Ø Damage to thatched houses/ huts.
Ø Minor damage to power and communication lines.
Ø Major damage to Kutcha and some damage to Pucca roads.
Ø Breaking of tree branches, uprooting of trees. Moderate damage to banana and papaya trees. Large dead limbs blown from trees.
  Damage expected over interior districts of Gujarat  and over southern districts of Rajasthan on 18th May 2021.
 Minor damage to power and communication lines.  Damage to Kutcha Roads.  Breaking of tree branches, uprooting of small trees.  Damage to banana and papaya trees.
 Action Suggested:
Ø Judicious regulation of rail and road traffic.
Ø People in affected areas to remain indoors.
Vice President's Secretariat
Vice President, Shri Venkaiah Naidu offers prayers at Tirumala;
VP said he prayed to see India as a developed nation and for universal peace
The Vice President of India, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu had darshan of Lord Sri Venkasteswara along with his wife, Smt. Ushamma and other family members, in Tirumala, Andhra Pradesh today.
After the darshan, the Vice President said that he wished to see India as a developed nation and attain its rightful place in the comity of nations. He prayed for realizing the same wish.
The Vice President said that he prayed for the Lord’s blessings for universal peace and a world free of conflicts, inequalities, corruption, hunger and poverty.
Shri Naidu said that he had been visiting various countries and participated in several international fora aimed at promoting world peace. He prayed to the Lord to give strength to the society for eliminating all forms of discrimination and inequalities.
The Vice President said the country was moving in the right direction towards economic prosperity and wanted the fruits of development to reach to every section.
Shri Naidu also prayed for the prosperity and happiness of all people.
The Vice President also invoked the Lord’s blessings for a good rainfall and farmers’ well-being.
Shri Naidu said that everyone was equal before the Lord and should get opportunity to have the darshan. He suggested that all VVIPs should volunteer to visit Tirumala only once a year so that no inconvenience was caused to the devotees. This was only an advice, he added.
Shri Naidu said that if any VVIP wanted to visit a second time, he or she should not avail of the VVIP facility and visit as an ordinary devotee.The Vice President said that he has been visiting Tirumala once every year.